GHOST IN THE SHELL (2017): Producer Defends Casting of Scarlett Johansson

Ghost in the Shell Producer Thinks Fans Will Be Happy with the Film. After Scarlett Johansson was cast as the lead for the Ghost in the Shell, fans went in a frenzy with the whitewash casting. A petition was launched to replace her, but production for the film had already begun.

During an interview with Buzzfeed, producer Steven Paul addressed the issue on the casting, where he explained that “everybody is going to end up being really happy with it. They’re going to be very, very happy with it when they see what we’ve actually done with it, and I don’t think anybody’s going to be disappointed.”

Paul also spoke on the film’s respect to the source material, saying that “there’s a great respect that’s been paid to the manga.” Even the manga’s original publisher, Kodansha worked closely with the production team. The publisher even openly supported Johansson’s casting. Paul did confirm that Johansson’s name will be changed from Major Kusanagi to simply The Major.

Paul discussed the international appeal for Ghost in the Shell and the world it’s built on. “I don’t think it was just a Japanese story,” said Paul. “Ghost in the Shell was a very international story, and it wasn’t just focused on Japanese; it was supposed to be an entire world. That’s why I say the international approach is, I think, the right approach to it.”

What do you guys think? Ghost in the Shell also stars Pilou Asbaek, Michael Pitt, Takeshi Kitano, and Juliette Binoche. Directed by Rupert Sanders, the film is scheduled to release on March 31, 2017.

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